Earthquakes
What to do?
www.GetPrepared.ca
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction ...........................................
What to Expect During an Earthquake .......
Preparing for an Earthquake ....................
During an Earthquake .............................
After an Earthquake ................................
Make an Emergency Plan ........................
Get an Emergency Kit .............................
Resources ..............................................
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Our partners
This publication was produced by Public Safety Canada in
collaboration with: The Canadian Red Cross, Natural Resources
Canada, and the St. John Ambulance.
An electronic version of this brochure is available at
www.GetPrepared.ca.
This publication is also available in multiple formats (audio, Braille,
large print, and diskette). To order, please call: 1 800 O-Canada
(1-800-622-6232); TTY: 1-800-926-9105.
© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada 2010
Cat. No.: PS48-9/2-2010
ISBN: 978-1-100-51097-2
Printed in Canada
INTRODUCTION
Approximately 5,000 earthquakes are recorded in Canada
each year, most of them small ones. While earthquakes can
occur in any Canadian region, British Columbia is most
at risk from a major earthquake. Other areas prone to
earthquakes are the St. Lawrence and Ottawa River
valleys, as well as parts of the three northern territories.
In the past 100 years, at least nine earthquakes in or near
Canada have registered a magnitude greater than 7. A few have
caused extensive damage. Even a magnitude 6 earthquake could
do extensive damage in a built-up area. In fact, a strong quake
near one of Canada’s major urban areas would likely be the most
destructive natural disaster this country could experience.
Since no one can predict with certainty when an earthquake will
happen, it is important to get prepared in advance. This brochure
outlines the three basic steps to prepare, including:
• finding out about protective measures before, during,
and after an earthquake;
• making an emergency plan; and,
• getting an emergency kit
Planning for a severe earthquake will also help prepare you for
many other types of emergencies. After reading this guide, keep
it in a handy spot, such as in your emergency kit.
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WHAT TO EXPECT DURING AN EARTHQUAKE
Small or moderate earthquakes
• These can last only a few seconds and represent no emergency risk.
• Ceiling lights may move and some minor rattling of objects
may occur in your home.
• You may feel a slight quiver under your feet if you are outside.
• If you are close to its source, you may hear a loud bang
followed by shaking.
Large earthquakes
• These can last up to several minutes and constitute a
natural disaster if its epicentre is near a densely populated
area, or its magnitude sufficiently large for the region.
• The ground or floor will move, perhaps violently.
• Whether far away or close to the source, you will probably
feel shaking followed by a rolling motion, much like being
at sea.
• If you are far away from the source, you might see swaying
buildings or hear a roaring sound.
• You may feel dizzy and be unable to walk during the earthquake.
• If you live in a high rise or a multi-storey building, you may
experience more sway and less shaking than in a smaller,
single-storey building. Lower floors will shake rapidly,
much like residential homes. On upper floors, movement
will be slower but the building will move farther from side
to side.
• Furnishings and unsecured objects could fall over or slide
across the floor.
• Unsecured light fixtures and ceiling panels may fall.
• Windows may break.
• Fire alarms and sprinkler systems may be activated.
• Lights and power may go off.
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EARTHQUAKES—WHAT TO DO?
PREPARING FOR AN EARTHQUAKE
Know what to do before, during, and after an earthquake
Before an earthquake: Home preparedness checklist
Go through your home, imagining what could happen to each part
of it, if shaken by a violent earthquake. Check off the items that
you have completed in this list.
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Teach everybody in the family (if they are old enough) how
to turn off the water and electricity.
Clearly label the on-off positions for the water, electricity
and gas. If your home is equipped with natural gas: tie or
tape the appropriate wrench on or near the pipe, to turn
off the gas, if necessary.
Repair loose roof shingles.
Tie the water heater to studs along with other heavy
appliances (stove, washer, dryer), especially those that
could break gas or water lines if they shift or topple.
Secure top-heavy furniture and shelving units to prevent
tipping. Keep heavy items on lower shelves.
Affix mirrors, paintings and other hanging objects securely,
so they won’t fall off hooks.
Locate beds and chairs away from chimneys and windows.
Don’t hang heavy pictures and other items over beds.
Closed curtains and blinds will help stop broken window
glass from falling on beds.
Put anti-skid pads under TVs, computers and other small
appliances, or secure them with Velcro or other such product.
Use child-proof or safety latches on cupboards to stop
contents from spilling out.
Keep flammable items and household chemicals away
from heat and where they are less likely to spill.
Consult a professional to find out additional ways you
can protect your home, such as bolting the house to its
foundation and other structural mitigation techniques.
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If you live in an apartment block or a multi-storey building,
work with your building manager or condominium board
to decide how best to “quake-safe” your unit. Seek advice
from professionals (building engineers, emergency preparedness authorities) if you are unsure about what to do.
If you live in a mobile home, you can leave the wheels on the
mobile home to limit its fall. Or, you can install a structural
bracing system to reduce the chance of your unit falling off
its supports. Ensure the awning on your home is securely
supported and fastened to the unit. For information on the
best way to brace your unit, contact your local mobile
home dealer or a mobile home owner’s association.
Safety Tips
• Don’t shut off the gas unless there is a leak or a fire. If the
gas is turned off, it must be turned on again by a qualified
tradesperson.
• Discuss earthquake insurance with your insurance broker.
Check your coverage – it could affect your financial ability
to recover losses after an earthquake.
DURING AN EARTHQUAKE
Wherever you are when an earthquake starts, take cover
immediately. Move a few steps to a nearby safe place if
need be. Stay there until the shaking stops.
If you are indoors: “DROP, COVER, HOLD”
• Stay inside.
• Drop under heavy furniture such as a table, desk, bed
or any solid furniture.
• Cover your head and torso to prevent being hit by falling
objects.
• Hold onto the object that you are under so that you remain
covered.
• If you can't get under something strong, or if you are in a
hallway, flatten yourself or crouch against an interior wall.
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EARTHQUAKES—WHAT TO DO?
• If you are in a shopping mall, go into the nearest store.
Stay away from windows, and shelves with heavy objects.
• If you are at school, get under a desk or table and hold on.
Face away from windows.
• If you are in a wheelchair, lock the wheels and protect the
back of your head and neck.
If you are outdoors
• Stay outside.
• Go to an open area away from buildings.
• If you are in a crowded public place, take cover where you
won’t be trampled.
If you are in a vehicle
• Pull over to a safe place where you are not blocking the
road. Keep roads clear for rescue and emergency vehicles.
• Avoid bridges, overpasses, underpasses, buildings or
anything that could collapse.
• Stop the car and stay inside.
• Listen to your car radio for instructions from emergency
officials.
• Do not attempt to get out of your car if downed power
lines are across it. Wait to be rescued.
• Place a HELP sign in your window if you need assistance.
• If you are on a bus, stay in your seat until the bus stops. Take
cover in a protected place. If you can’t take cover, sit in a
crouched position and protect your head from falling debris.
AVOID the following in an earthquake
• Doorways. Doors may slam shut and cause injuries.
• Windows, bookcases, tall furniture and light fixtures.
You could be hurt by shattered glass or heavy objects.
• Elevators. If you are in an elevator during an earthquake,
hit the button for every floor and get out as soon as you can.
• Downed power lines – stay at least 10 metres away to
avoid injury.
• Coastline. Earthquakes can trigger large ocean waves
called tsunamis.
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AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE
Stay calm. Help others if you are able.
• Be prepared for aftershocks.
• Listen to the radio or television for information from
authorities. Follow their instructions.
• Place telephone receivers back in their cradles; only make
calls if requiring emergency services.
• Put on sturdy shoes and protective clothing to help
prevent injury from debris, especially broken glass.
• Check your home for structural damage and other hazards.
If you suspect your home is unsafe, do not re-enter.
• If you have to leave your home, take your emergency kit
and other essential items with you. Post a message in
clear view, indicating where you can be found. Do not
waste food or water as supplies may be interrupted.
• Do not light matches or turn on light switches until you are
sure there are no gas leaks or flammable liquids spilled. Use
a flashlight to check utilities and do not shut them off unless
damaged. Leaking gas will smell.
• If tap water is still available immediately after the earthquake,
fill a bathtub and other containers in case the supply gets
cut off. If there is no running water, remember that you
may have water available in a hot water tank (make sure
water is not hot before touching it) and toilet reservoir
(not the bowl).
• Do not flush toilets if you suspect sewer lines are broken.
• Carefully clean up any spilled hazardous materials. Wear
proper hand and eye protection.
• Check on your neighbours after looking after members of
your own household. Organize rescue measures if people
are trapped or call for emergency assistance if you cannot
safely help them.
• If you have pets, try to find and comfort them. If you have to
evacuate, take them to a pre-identified pet-friendly shelter.
• Place a HELP sign in your window if you need assistance.
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EARTHQUAKES—WHAT TO DO?
MAKE AN EMERGENCY PLAN
Every Canadian household needs an emergency plan.
It will help you and your family to know what to do in case
of an emergency. Remember, your family may not be
together when an earthquake or other emergency occurs.
Start by discussing what could happen and what you should do
at home, at school or at work if an earthquake strikes. To be prepared, make a list of what needs to be done ahead of time. Store
important family documents, such as birth certificates, passports,
wills, financial documents, insurance policies, etc. in waterproof
container(s). Identify an appropriate out-of-town contact that can
act as a central point of contact in an emergency.
Write down and exercise your plan with the entire family at least
once a year. Make sure everybody has a copy and keeps it close
at hand.
For more information on making an emergency plan, call
1-800-O-Canada or visit www.GetPrepared.ca to download or
complete an emergency plan online.
GET AN EMERGENCY KIT
In an emergency you will need some basic supplies.
You may need to get by without power or tap water.
Be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours.
You may have some of the items already, such as a flashlight,
battery-operated radio, food, and water. The key is to make sure
they are organized and easy to find. Would you be able to find
your flashlight in the dark?
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Make sure your kit is easy to carry. Keep it in a backpack, duffel
bag or suitcase with wheels, in an easy-to-reach, accessible
place, such as your front hall closet. Make sure everyone in the
household knows where the emergency kit is.
Basic emergency kit
• Water – at least two litres of water per person per day.
Include small bottles that can be carried easily in case of
an evacuation order
• Food that won’t spoil, such as canned food, energy bars
and dried foods (remember to replace the food and water
once a year)
• Manual can opener
• Crank or battery-powered flashlight (and extra batteries)
• Crank or battery-powered radio (and extra batteries)
• First aid kit
• Special items such as prescription medications, infant
formula and equipment for people with disabilities
• Extra keys to your car and house
• Cash in smaller bills, such as $10 bills (travellers cheques
are also useful) and change for payphones
• A copy of your emergency plan and contact information
You can purchase a pre-packaged emergency kit from the
Canadian Red Cross at www.redcross.ca, from the St. John
Ambulance/Salvation Army at www.sja.ca.
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EARTHQUAKES—WHAT TO DO?
RESOURCES
National Resources
Public Safety Canada – Other publications:
• Floods – What to do?
• Power Outages – What to do?
• Severe Storms – What to do?
• Your Emergency Preparedness Guide
For more emergency preparedness information or to order
brochures, visit www.GetPrepared.ca.
Natural Resources Canada – www.earthquakescanada.nrcan.gc.ca
Canadian Red Cross – www.redcross.ca
St. John Ambulance – www.sja.ca
Provincial and Territorial Resources
For regional or local information on emergency preparedness,
contact your emergency management organization as follows:
Alberta
Alberta Emergency Management Agency
Telephone: (780) 422-9000 / Toll-free: 310-0000
www.aema.alberta.ca
British Columbia
British Columbia Provincial Emergency Program
Telephone: (250) 952-4913 / Emergency: 1-800-663-3456
www.pep.bc.ca
Manitoba
Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization
Telephone: (204) 945-4772 / Toll-free: 1-888-267-8298
www.manitobaemo.ca
New Brunswick
New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization
Telephone: (506) 453-2133 / Toll-free (24/7): 1-800-561-4034
www.gnb.ca/cnb/emo-omu
Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador Fire and Emergency Services
Telephone: (709) 729-3703
www.ma.gov.nl.ca/ma/fes/
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Northwest Territories
Northwest Territories Emergency Measures Organization
Telephone: (867) 873-7469 / Emergency: (867) 873-7554
www.maca.gov.nt.ca
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia Emergency Management Office
Telephone (24 hr): 1-866-424-5620 (toll free)
www.gov.ns.ca/emo
Nunavut
Nunavut Emergency Management
Telephone: (867) 975-5403 / 24 hr Emergency: 1-800-693-1666
cgs.gov.nu.ca/en/nunavut-emergency-management
Ontario
Emergency Management Ontario
Telephone: (416) 314-3723 / 24 hr: 1-877-314-3723 (toll free)
www.ontario.ca/beprepared
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island Emergency Measures Organization
Telephone: (902) 894-0385 / After hours: (902) 892-9365
www.peipublicsafety.ca
Quebec
Quebec – Ministère de la sécurité publique
Telephone (toll-free): 1-866-644-6826
General information (Services Québec): 1-877-644-4545
www.msp.gouv.qc.ca
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Emergency Management Organization
Telephone: (306) 787-9563
www.cps.gov.sk.ca/SaskEMO
Yukon
Yukon Emergency Measures Organization
Telephone: (867) 667-5220 /
Toll free (within the Yukon): 1-800-661-0408
www.community.gov.yk.ca/emo
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EARTHQUAKES—WHAT TO DO?